Sydney and Alexander shared a glance, but immediately turned their heads to look back at Adrianna.
"What do you mean you don't think I really killed Lazarey? I am the woman in the video my father had. I saw it with my own two eyes!" Sydney exclaimed.
"I don't doubt what you saw Sydney. I do doubt what really occurred, that is all I'm saying," Adrianna said, looking to her brother for support. Alexander nodded, turning to Sydney.
"Syd, you'd have to know Lazarey to understand what my sister is trying to say. He's the master of manipulation, he could have easily convinced you, or whoever you were at the time, to assist him in fabricating his own death," Alexander spoke, clinging to Sydney's hand.
She turned away from the brother and sister before her, in order to ponder this turn of events. What if she had been in league with Lazarey during her missing years? Had she helped the man murder countless others? She sighed loudly, leaning on the kitchen table for support.
"The more I wonder about my missing years, the more I think I should just leave them alone," she whispered. Alexander strode over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He turned her around, kissing her cheek tenderly.
"Sydney, I'd usually agree with you. But now, I'm not so sure," he said. Sydney turned her face up to look at him, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Alexander, why do you say that?" she asked.
"This was meant to be. We were meant to figure this out together," he said, kissing her hairline. Adrianna cleared her throat, reminding the two of her presence. They turned to Adrianna, but Alexander's left arm remained around Sydney's waist.
"We've got to find out where you were during those years," Alexander spoke.
"I know," Sydney said, though she was truly frightened as to what the answer could be.
Adrianna remained silent for a few moments before speaking.
"I might know a way to find out," she said. A collective gasp was heard.
"Anna, how?" Alexander asked.
"I know a man who holds a position in the Covenant. You believe they're responsible for your abduction, correct?" Adrianna asked.
"Yes," Sydney answered.
"I have a...well, we'll just call him a contact. He could give us the answers we need," Adrianna said.
"And if he doesn't?" Alexander asked. Adrianna looked up at them, her blue eyes blazing.
"He will," she said.
*****
Alexander 'Sark' Lazarey looked at his sister in annoyance. They were in a Russian club that her contact usually hung around in during the weekend. Her red dress was too short, too tight and entirely too provocative.
"Does your dress have to be so damn tight Anna?" he asked.
"If you must know, big brother, yes, " Adrianna answered. He sighed.
"Better you than Sydney, I suppose," Alexander answered.
"Oh thanks Alex. At least I'm not wearing skin-tight leather trousers. I'm amazed that you can breathe. You like her don't you?"
"Who?"
"Duh! Sydney," Adrianna said, rolling her eyes.
"What gave you that impression?"
"Hmm, I don't know, perhaps the passionate kissing or the tight embracing in my kitchen..."
"Shut up," he answered.
"You shut up," she spat.
"Both of you shut up," Sydney's voice interrupted through their comlinks, "I can hear every word you're saying, you do realize that right?"
"Right," the two siblings said, exchanging a glance.
"I don't see why I have to be on the sidelines," Sydney said. Alexander could just see her pouting now.
"We've already discussed this. We can't risk anybody recognizing you," Alexander spoke.
"Whatever. Adrianna, have you spotted your contact yet?"
"No...oh, wait. There he is. Wait here big brother," Adrianna said.
Alexander scowled as he watched his younger sister saunter over to where a very slimy looking dark-haired man was standing. He pressed his comlink further into his ear, so to hear her conversation with the man.
"Adrianna," the man purred, his mouth roaming on her name much longer than necessary.
"Mikhail," she said, her voice lowering considerably, "Fancy meeting you here." She lifted her hand to him, which he took in his own, raising it to his mouth to kiss it slowly.
"I haven't seen you in two months Adrianna. Where have you been my dear?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she asked, touching his shoulder lightly.
"Would you care for a drink?" he asked, "We can catch up." Adrianna pretended to consider his offer.
"Well, I do have a few moments to spare. I'll gladly take you up on your offer." She turned toward the bar, and he placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her there.
As they sat down and ordered their drinks, Alexander turned red as he noticed the slimy individual surveying his sister's body. He began to advance toward them, but Sydney's voice echoed in his ears.
"Uh uh. Don't move Alexander," she said. He scowled.
"I'm going to kill him," he hissed.
"That's all well and good dear, but please let her get the information from him first okay?" Sydney said.
"Fine," he said, sighing loudly.
Meanwhile, Adrianna and Mikhail's drinks had come, and while he drank his rapidly, Adrianna sipped her own cautiously.
"So, you haven't told me where you've been Adrianna," he said.
"Well darling, work. That's really what I've been doing," she said, to which he sighed.
"Still working for the government?" he asked. She nodded, to which he shook his head.
"Why do you waste your time? I can offer you much more fulfilling work for my agency," he said.
"I know Mikhail. But you already know my answer," she whispered.
"Why Adrianna? You are a very talented agent. They take you for granted," he said. Though this was only for show, Adrianna could not help but agree with his assessment. The British government had never been appreciative of her work. She took another sip of her drink, eyeing him carefully.
"It's true, but you know I will never betray my country," she said. He sighed.
"That's what you believe now. I used to believe the same," he said. She touched his arm.
"Enough about my line of work Mikhail. I knew you would be here this evening, and I need your help," Adrianna said, her eyes pleading with him.
"Anything. You know I will do anything for you," Mikhail answered.
Alexander smirked from fifty feet away. Just how well did this idiot know his sister?
"I need information about Adrian Lazarey," Adrianna said. Mikhail visibly stiffened.
"What do you want to know about that old man?" he asked.
"Don't patronize me Mikhail. You know you can trust me. What do you know about Lazarey?" she asked. Mikhail glanced around them, appearing to be checking for spies.
"If you want to know about Lazarey, we must go to a more...private location," he said, gazing directly in her eyes.
Alexander's voice echoed in Adrianna's ears.
"No," he hissed, "Adrianna, no."
Adrianna slightly lifted her right hand, as if to signal Alexander to cool it. She gave Mikhail a lopsided smile and touched his cheek.
"Okay," she said, and they both stood up to leave the bar. Alexander tried to get to them, but the crowd prevented him from reaching his sister, as she left the bar, arm in arm with Mikhail.
He pressed the button on his comlink, communicating with Sydney.
"Looks like Adrianna is on her own," he said, sighing loudly.